Sassy's Road To Recovery - page 2
August 21, 2007:
Sassy made it through the night and was doing better this am, but quieter than usual. I forgot my camera in my rush to see her this am, so do not have a photo from today. Upon arrival, I did notice her more quiet. But when we went to move her to her other side, she struggled and stood well. She was then put into a sternal position for her lunch, which she ate great as usual - and seemed overall more alert the longer she was up - but not as alert as she has been. . The source of her distress late yesterday is still unknown, but septicemia from her eye infections is suspect for now. There was no change in her right eye today.
The wonderful support for Sassy has been great! And as long as she continues to fight and enjoy her mush, we will give her time to tell us what she wants...
Sassy made it through the night and was doing better this am, but quieter than usual. I forgot my camera in my rush to see her this am, so do not have a photo from today. Upon arrival, I did notice her more quiet. But when we went to move her to her other side, she struggled and stood well. She was then put into a sternal position for her lunch, which she ate great as usual - and seemed overall more alert the longer she was up - but not as alert as she has been. . The source of her distress late yesterday is still unknown, but septicemia from her eye infections is suspect for now. There was no change in her right eye today.
The wonderful support for Sassy has been great! And as long as she continues to fight and enjoy her mush, we will give her time to tell us what she wants...
August 22, 2007
Sassy had a rough night last night, but then became more responsive and alert than ever before today. She stood several times today and continues to eat her meals very well. Her right eye also looked better today, not as swollen. She continues to baffle everyone with her ups and downs, but many are hopeful that her great day today is a turn in the corner for her.
Sassy had a rough night last night, but then became more responsive and alert than ever before today. She stood several times today and continues to eat her meals very well. Her right eye also looked better today, not as swollen. She continues to baffle everyone with her ups and downs, but many are hopeful that her great day today is a turn in the corner for her.
August 23, 2007
Sassy had a great night last night, standing (assisted) and then staying up and walking around for three 1-hour intervals. Now that she's been up and can walk, she struggled throughout the morning to get up on her own. She was quite tired from her exertion and napped off and on throughout the day, but still sat up eagerly to have her meals. Her right eye is still the same - no progress or worsening of it's condition.
Sassy is much more alert now, too, nickering when approached and responding to voice and touch very good again.
We are so thankful for the wonderful staff and techs at NCSU that are doing such a great job with her. Her willpower has affected many, and she has quite a fan club now. Due to her popularity, she is now restricted from visitors so that she may rest quietly when she needs to so as to gain strength. USERL is grateful for all the support and well wishers that have come by thus far to cheer Sassy on in her battle. We will continue to update her condition daily on this website so everyone supporting her can be involved in her recovery.
Sassy had a great night last night, standing (assisted) and then staying up and walking around for three 1-hour intervals. Now that she's been up and can walk, she struggled throughout the morning to get up on her own. She was quite tired from her exertion and napped off and on throughout the day, but still sat up eagerly to have her meals. Her right eye is still the same - no progress or worsening of it's condition.
Sassy is much more alert now, too, nickering when approached and responding to voice and touch very good again.
We are so thankful for the wonderful staff and techs at NCSU that are doing such a great job with her. Her willpower has affected many, and she has quite a fan club now. Due to her popularity, she is now restricted from visitors so that she may rest quietly when she needs to so as to gain strength. USERL is grateful for all the support and well wishers that have come by thus far to cheer Sassy on in her battle. We will continue to update her condition daily on this website so everyone supporting her can be involved in her recovery.
August 24, 2007
Sassy is still continuing to very slowly improve. She now sits up her own and is standing for longer and longer periods of time. Her right eye has not worsened (or improved), but stayed as is for several days now. Hopefully, the meds are working and the infection is turning around. Only time will tell....
Due to her improvements, it's been decided to remove IV Nutrition to see if Sassy can stay stabilized on her own. If she cannot, then it is unlikely she will be able to do so. If she does, then she's conquered a huge obstacle.
Sassy was her usual "sass" self today and ate very well. She especially enjoyed some cubed apple bits that a caregiver gave her at lunch time (her reaction was delightful) and good scratches in her itchy places.
Sassy is still continuing to very slowly improve. She now sits up her own and is standing for longer and longer periods of time. Her right eye has not worsened (or improved), but stayed as is for several days now. Hopefully, the meds are working and the infection is turning around. Only time will tell....
Due to her improvements, it's been decided to remove IV Nutrition to see if Sassy can stay stabilized on her own. If she cannot, then it is unlikely she will be able to do so. If she does, then she's conquered a huge obstacle.
Sassy was her usual "sass" self today and ate very well. She especially enjoyed some cubed apple bits that a caregiver gave her at lunch time (her reaction was delightful) and good scratches in her itchy places.
August 26, 2007
Sassy was discharged from the Vet School today after successfully coming off the IV Nutrition. She not only remained stable but continued to improve. Sassy can now get up by herself whenever she wants, and stays up for 6 hours or more. Her curiosity about all that she sees (left photo) is charming. Upon arriving at the rehab farm, Sassy was groomed and pampered (right photo) while she ate (and she eats all the time). Sassy remains under close supervision as she is not out of the woods yet. But what a remarkable will this girl has shown us thus far! Many thanks to NCSU Vet School for their wonderful care of her! And many thanks to all that have donated for her costly care. Her needs are still costly (eye meds, and a surgery to remove her left eye when she is strong enough), so continued donations are appreciated for her care.
Sassy was discharged from the Vet School today after successfully coming off the IV Nutrition. She not only remained stable but continued to improve. Sassy can now get up by herself whenever she wants, and stays up for 6 hours or more. Her curiosity about all that she sees (left photo) is charming. Upon arriving at the rehab farm, Sassy was groomed and pampered (right photo) while she ate (and she eats all the time). Sassy remains under close supervision as she is not out of the woods yet. But what a remarkable will this girl has shown us thus far! Many thanks to NCSU Vet School for their wonderful care of her! And many thanks to all that have donated for her costly care. Her needs are still costly (eye meds, and a surgery to remove her left eye when she is strong enough), so continued donations are appreciated for her care.
August 27, 2007
Sassy is continuing to improve, enjoying time outside grazing and talking with the farm horses at the rehab farm. She amazes us daily with her zest to want to live and enjoy being a horse. Her eyesight in her right eye is obviously good enough to identify objects clearly (even a TB syringe from across the stall!), and it is doing well. So we are still hopeful that her sight will remain in that eye. Round the clock care is being provided to administer eye meds every 2 hrs. Her caregivers are tired, but enjoying this little one with so much personality.
Sassy is continuing to improve, enjoying time outside grazing and talking with the farm horses at the rehab farm. She amazes us daily with her zest to want to live and enjoy being a horse. Her eyesight in her right eye is obviously good enough to identify objects clearly (even a TB syringe from across the stall!), and it is doing well. So we are still hopeful that her sight will remain in that eye. Round the clock care is being provided to administer eye meds every 2 hrs. Her caregivers are tired, but enjoying this little one with so much personality.
August 28, 2007
It's hard to believe how far Sassy has come in her recovery! The strength in her weakened legs has been getting slowly stronger over the past week. She's much like a human patient that's been ill for a long time or had surgery and on bed rest for an extended period. Like them, she's had to rebuild atrophied muscle and relearn muscle memory of how to use her legs. And her improvements are very noticable every day. Just yesterday, grazing was a slow process for her as she relearned how to place her feet so she could reach the grass. In one day, she mastered that skill and can now graze with the best of them!
Another wonderful step in her recovery is that many of her blood values are returning to the normal range, although she is still very anemic (it takes several weeks to months to fully recover from Anemia). Her right eye is also doing good with the "round-the-clock" meds. She is standing, walking, eating and being a horse most of the day, with a couple of naps lying down to "refuel". And although she can be wobbly when she gets tired, her improvements every day astound us.
Still, her journey to recovery is an uphill climb and we hold our breath that no setbacks occur to interfere with the inexplicable improvements Sassy has shown consistently during her battle. USERL is very grateful for the professional and compassionate care she received at NCSU Veterinary Hospital, as well as the support offered by so many of you. It is a great effort for one so little.... And Sassy is taking full advantage of the support offered to her.
It's hard to believe how far Sassy has come in her recovery! The strength in her weakened legs has been getting slowly stronger over the past week. She's much like a human patient that's been ill for a long time or had surgery and on bed rest for an extended period. Like them, she's had to rebuild atrophied muscle and relearn muscle memory of how to use her legs. And her improvements are very noticable every day. Just yesterday, grazing was a slow process for her as she relearned how to place her feet so she could reach the grass. In one day, she mastered that skill and can now graze with the best of them!
Another wonderful step in her recovery is that many of her blood values are returning to the normal range, although she is still very anemic (it takes several weeks to months to fully recover from Anemia). Her right eye is also doing good with the "round-the-clock" meds. She is standing, walking, eating and being a horse most of the day, with a couple of naps lying down to "refuel". And although she can be wobbly when she gets tired, her improvements every day astound us.
Still, her journey to recovery is an uphill climb and we hold our breath that no setbacks occur to interfere with the inexplicable improvements Sassy has shown consistently during her battle. USERL is very grateful for the professional and compassionate care she received at NCSU Veterinary Hospital, as well as the support offered by so many of you. It is a great effort for one so little.... And Sassy is taking full advantage of the support offered to her.
August 30, 2007
It was a busy day for Sassy on August 29th, so didn't get a photo opportunity until this am. Sassy is doing very well, still improving everyday. She will need more time to regain strength in her atrophied muscles. She has limited motion in her hind legs which frustrates her at this time when she is trying to stand up. Sassy is getting physical therapy to improve her range of motion in these legs, and it is improving little by little.
Her right eye is still improving as well! And her contentment with her current lot in life is evident in these pictures. Sassy is so eager to enjoy life that she wears herself out by afternoon and takes more frequent naps in the evenings (starting back up with her renewed energy at 3am!). Caring for her closely resembles caring for a young todddler!
Sassy is overcoming so many obstacles (many that no one can explain), so we will continue to let Sassy lead us through her recovery one day at a time and just be amazed with her "Sass".
It was a busy day for Sassy on August 29th, so didn't get a photo opportunity until this am. Sassy is doing very well, still improving everyday. She will need more time to regain strength in her atrophied muscles. She has limited motion in her hind legs which frustrates her at this time when she is trying to stand up. Sassy is getting physical therapy to improve her range of motion in these legs, and it is improving little by little.
Her right eye is still improving as well! And her contentment with her current lot in life is evident in these pictures. Sassy is so eager to enjoy life that she wears herself out by afternoon and takes more frequent naps in the evenings (starting back up with her renewed energy at 3am!). Caring for her closely resembles caring for a young todddler!
Sassy is overcoming so many obstacles (many that no one can explain), so we will continue to let Sassy lead us through her recovery one day at a time and just be amazed with her "Sass".
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